The Vandellas Martha and the Vandellas One of Motown Records' earliest and most exciting vocal groups, Martha and The Vandellas achieved two Top Ten hits before the ascendancy of The Supremes. Driven by Martha Reeves' soulful, brassy lead vocals, the Vandellas became Motown's earthier, more aggressive "girl group" alternative to the Supremes. Martha Reeves, one of eleven children, was born in Eufaula Alabama on July 18, 1941. She moved with her parents Ruby and Elijah to Detroit, Michigan before her first birthday. Reeves spent most of her childhood singing and working in her grandfather's church. She attended Russell Elementary on Detroit's eastside and was taught vocals by Emily Wagstaff. Northeastern High School was where she studied voice under the direction of Abraham Silver, who also coached Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Bobby Rogers of the Miracles. First Martha and the Vandellas group photo (From L-R Martha Reeves, Annette Beard and Rosalind Ashford) After graduating from high school in 1959, Reeves joined the girl group called the Fascinations.

They recorded their first record about 1960, backing Mike Hanks on "The Hawk" on Mah's Records. They also backed Leon Peterson on "I Know You Know" on the Bobbin label in 1962. Their first big break was working with local singer J.J. Barnes on "Won't You Let Me Know." The 1962 single on Rich Records credited both Barnes and the Del-Phis and led to the answer record "Ill Let You Know" on Check-Mate. In the late summer of 1960 Reeves met Rosalind Ashford and they were invited to join Annette Sterling and Gloria Williamson in the Del-Phis. After doing some local talent shows and jobs they recorded a single on Chess-Mate Records, a subsidiary of Chess Records in 1961. The Del-Phi"s recording that didn't make the charts was "My Baby Won't Come Back". Reeves as a solo entered and won a talent contest. The prize was a three day engagement at the Twenty Grand, a local nightclub where she sang as Martha LaVaille.

On her last night, William "Mickey" Stevenson, an A&R and Berry Gordy's right-hand man at Motown Records, approached Reeves, after hearing her sing, and gave her his card. In 1961 Reeves was hired as his secretary. One day Motown head Berry Gordy needed background singers in short order for a session; Reeves and her friends, Ashford and Beard, were called in. They sang behind Marvin Gaye on "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," his first hit in 1962 and "Hitch Hike." A couple months later, Reeves again found her self in the right place at the right time. Stevenson had called over to the studio, where a union rep was checking to make sure the label was following the rule that a singer had to be on a mic when tracks were recorded. In Mary Well's absence, Reeves sang "I'll Have To Let Him Go, impressing Stevenson enough ask the Del-Phis to record "You'll Never Cherish A Love So True ('Til You Lose It)." The session was a success, but Gloria decided she didn't want to leave her job and left the group.

The single was issued anyway on Mel-O-Dy as by the Vells. The rest of the group convinced Gordy that they were staying as a trio. Gordy then asked the girls to come up with a new name. They then called themselves Martha and the Vandellas, taking their name from Detroit street Van Dyke and Reeve's favorite singer Della Reese before recording "I'll Have to Let Him Go." Come Get These Memories Signed to the newly formed Gordy label in September 1962 as Martha and The Vandellas, the group's first hit was their second release, a beat ballad "Come Get These Memories" (#29 pop, #3 R&B 1963) and was Holland-Dozier-Holland's first collaboration as a songwriting team. "Memories" was followed by two explosive Holland-Dozier-Holland dance records: "Heat Wave" (#4 pop, #1 R&B, 1963) and "Quicksand" (#8 1963).

After being turned down by Kim Weston, a Mickey Stevenson and Marvin Gaye composition,"Dancing in the Street" was given to Martha and the Vandellas; who turned it into their biggest hit (#2, 1964). Their other big hits included "Nowhere to Run" (#8, pop, #5 R&B, 1965) and "I'm Ready for Love" (#9 pop, #2 R&B, 1966), "Jimmy Mack" (#10 pop, #1 R&B, 1967) and "Honey Chile"(#11 pop,, #5 R&B, 1967) were the last Holland-Dozier-Holland compositions they recorded, and were their last big hits. Rosalyn Ashford, Betty Kelly, and Martha Reeves The Vandellas 1963-1968 By 1967, the group was billed as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, as she was featured solely as lead for the group. Beard retired in 1963 and was replaced by former Velvelette Betty Kelly; when Kelly left four years later she was replaced by Reeve's younger sister Lois.

Ashford quit in 1969 and was replaced by another ex-Velvelette Sandra Tilley. Tilley died during surgery for a brain tumor in 1981. The group disbanded in 1973 after giving a farewell concert on December 21, 1972, at Detroit's Cobo Hall. Lois Reeves went to work for Al Green. Martha Reeves launched a solo career, but her recordings for MCA, Arista, and Fantasy through 1980 failed to sell well. As recounted in her 1994 autobiography Dancing in the Street, Reeves believes that the groups succession was undermined by Motown and Berry Gordy JR's. obsession with the Supremes. An example being "Jimmy Mack which was held from release for two years because it sounded too much like the Supremes then current singles. A strong personality Reeves clashed with Gordy demanding answers to business questions that most other Motown artist didn't ask until years after they left the label. Struggling to maintain a hectic schedule of recording and performing, Reeves became addicted to prescription drugs, exacerbating emotional problems that led to nervous breakdowns and a period of institutionalization.

Reeves has been drug free since 1977. In 1989 she, Ashford and Beard sued Motown for back royalties. In 1974 Reeves signed with MCA Records, Her debut solo album, Martha Reeves produced by Richard Perry, had a minor hit "Power of Love". Other solo albums were We Meet Again, and Got To Keep Movin on Fantasy Records, and The Rest of My Life for Arista Records. Though her solo records have been critically acclaimed, Reeves has never achieved the success that she had enjoyed with the Vandellas. Reeves currently resides in Downtown Detroit after living twelve years in Los Angeles. She continues to tour and record; sometimes the Vandellas consists of her sisters Lois and Delphine. On special occasions, she performs with Beard and Ashford. Rosalind Ashford has just retired from Ameritech and Annette Sterling has worked at St. John's Hospital as a phlebotomist for the last forty years.

The Vandellas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 martha Tamla 54068 - Stubborn Kind Of Fellow / It Hurts Me Too - 1962 (Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Sterling on backing vocals) Martha & The Vandellas (members Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Sterling) Gordy 7011 - I'll Have To Let Him Go / My Baby Won't Come Back - 1962 Gordy 7014 - Come And Get These Memories / Jealous Love - 1963 Gordy 7022 - Heat Wave / A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday) - 1963 Gordy 7025 - Quicksand / Darling, I Hum Our Song - 1963 Lee Alan and The Vendellas YMCA/WXYZ 94472 - Set Me Free - 1963 ~1964 (local DJ. Lee Alan is backed by The Vandellas trying to recreate the backing vocals they used on "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" by Marvin Gaye.

Proceeds from this record went to a YMCA summer camp) Martha & The Vandellas Gordy 7027 - Live Wire / Old Love (Let's Try Again) - 1964 (Annette Sterling leaves group and is replaced by Betty Kelley) Gordy 7031 - In My Lonely Room / A Tear For The Girl - 1964 Gordy 7033 - Dancing In The Street / There He Is (At My Door) - 1964 Gordy 7036 - Wild One / Dancing Slow - 1964 Hitsville U.S.A. DM 097311 - GREETINGS TO TAMLA MOTOWN APPRECIATION SOCIETY - 1964 (this American record was limited to 300 copies for dispersal throughout various fan clubs within Europe as a promo for their first European tour. Each act gives an individual greeting over it's latest record. Artists involved The Miracles , Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes , The Temptations , Martha and The Vandellas, The Contours , Eddie Holland , Kim Weston and The Supremes .

The record has an introduction from publicist Margaret Phelps and Berry Gordy) Martha & The Vandellas Gordy 7039 - Nowhere To Run / Motoring - Gordy 7045 - You've Been In Love Too Long / Love (Makes You Do Foolish Things) - 1965 Gordy 7048 - My Baby Loves Me / Never Leave Your Baby's Side - 1965 (Betty Kelley leaves group and is replaced by Lois Reeves -- Martha's sister ---- formerly of The Orlons) Gordy 7053 - What Am I Gonna Do Without Your Love / Go Ahead And Laugh - 1966 Gordy 7056 - I'm Ready For Love / He Doesn't Love Her Anymore - 1966 The Hondells / Del Shannon / Martha and The Vandellas Pepsi-Cola 8256 - Pepsi-Cola Ad Radio Youth Market - 1966 (Promo Only - Extolling The Virtues of drinking Pepsi-Cola) Various Artists Motown 2482 - Seasons Greetings From Motown - 1966 (promo issue only - very short "Christmas Greetings" radio station

 spots are delivered by Martha and The Vandellas, The Temptations, The Miracles, Shorty Long , The Velvelettes , The Spinners , The Four Tops , The Elgins and The Supremes ----- it was pressed in red vinyl) Martha and The Vandellas Gordy 7058 - Jimmy Mack / Third Finger, Left Hand - 1967 Gordy 7062 - Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone / One Way Out - 1967 (Rosalind Ashford leaves group and is replaced by Sandra Tilley from The Velvelettes) Vandellas CDX ??

7-Bill (+6.0) - Honey Chile - 1967 (one sided acetate has time 2:47 and date (10-18-67) typed on label plus RECOAT handwritten across label in thick black felt pen obscuring other label details) Martha and The Vandellas Gordy 7067 - Honey Chile / Show Me The Way - 1967 Topps/Motown 7 - Dancing In The Street - 1967 (Cardboard Record) Topps/Motown 14 - Love Is Like A Heat Wave - 1967 (Cardboard Record) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Gordy 7070 - I Promise To Wait My Love / Forget Me Not - 1968 Gordy 7075 - I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin' / I Tried - 1968 Gladys Knight & The Pips / The Four Tops / Martha Reeves & The Vandellas / The Voices Of Tabernacle Motown W4kb-4900-1a - Excerpts From Album M 642 "In Loving Memory" (Tribute To Mrs

.

Loucye G.

Wakefield) - 1968 (Promo Issue Only) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Gordy 7080 - Sweet Darlin' / Without You - 1968 Gordy 7085 - (We've Got) Honey Love / I'm In Love (And I Know It) - 1969 Gordy 7094 - Taking My Love (And Leaving Me) / Heartless - 1969 Gordy 7098 - I Should Be Proud / Love, Guess Who - 1970 Gordy 7103 - I Gotta Let You Go / You're The Loser Now - 1970 Gordy 7110 - Bless You / Hope I Don't Get My Heart Broke - 1971 Gordy 7113 - In And Out Of My Life / Your Love Makes It All Worthwhile - 1972 Gordy 7118 - Tear It On Down / I Want You Back - 1972 Gordy 7127 - Baby Don't Leave Me / I Won't Be The Fool I've Been Again - 1973

 Martha & The Vandellas / James Brown A & M 3022 - Nowhere To Run* / I Got You (I Feel Good)** - 1988 * "A" side by Martha and The Vandellas.

**flip by James Brown. Discography by Bosko Asanovic Martha Reeves - Singer - Biography.com Martha Reeves Martha Reeves is an American pop and R&B singer best remembered as the lead singer of the group Martha and the Vandellas. IN THESE GROUPS Famous People Born on July 18 Synopsis Born in Alabama in 1941, Martha Reeves grew up in Detroit and signed with Motown Records in the early 1960s. With several songs penned by famed songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland at the ready, Martha and the Vandellas went on to widespread pop and R&B success. Although the shadow of Diana Ross and the Supremes loomed large at the time, Martha and the Vandellas scored hit after hit, propelling the group to fame. Songs such as "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave," "Quicksand" and "Nowhere to Run" became staples of the era and have survived in the public consciousness long past Motown's move to Los Angeles and the Vandellas' 1972 breakup.

Early Years Martha Rose Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama, on July 18, 1941, but she and her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, before she reached the age of 1. Reeves sang in her grandfather's church and in school while growing up and worked on her singing throughout her four years at Northeastern High School, where she was a singing sensation. She graduated in 1959 and joined a girl group called the Fascinations, and, a year later, co-founded the Del-Phis with friends Annette Beard and Rosalind Holmes. The group soon cut its first single and signed a contract with Motown's Mel-O-Dy Records, and Reeves also landed a secretarial job at the label. Martha Reeves caught her next break when her group was picked to sing backup on Marvin Gaye's 1963 song "Stubborn Kinda Fellow," which went on to be a smash hit. The following year, Martha and the Vandellas, as they were now known, recorded their own major single, "I'll Have to Let Him Go," when the singer originally slated to record the song didn't show up for the session.

"Come and Get These Memories," a song penned by famed songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland (Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Eddie Holland), made it to No. 5 on the R&B chart and began a prosperous collaboration between the songwriters and the group. Success Comes Calling Martha and the Vandellas' second hit, another HDH song, was the timeless "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave," which became a phenomenon, climbing the Hot 100 chart to No. 4 and hittin No. 1 on the R&B singles chart. The single sold more than a million copies and earned the group its only Grammy Award nomination (best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group). The ball really rolling now, "Heat Wave" was followed by "Quicksand," also penned by HDH. The song reached No. 8 on the pop charts in 1963, and the group was wrestling back some of the spotlight from the Supremes, the new reigning girl group of the time. The hits certainly didn't stop there for Martha and the Vandellas. "Dancing in the Street" rose to No.

2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964 (it was reissued five years later and became one of the biggest Motown singles ever released). What followed, between 1964 and 1967, was a rash of Top 40 hits, including "Nowhere to Run" (No. 8), "My Baby Loves Me" (No. 22; R&B No. 3), "I'm Ready for Love" (Mo. 9; R&B No. 2) and "Jimmy Mack" (No. 10; R&B No. 1). The group also made several TV appearances during this period, on series such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show and American Bandstand. Beyond the Peak Between continuously living in the shadow of Diana Ross and her Supremes and the burden of churning out an endless stream of hits, Martha Reeves eventually succumbed to the pressures surrounding her and developed an addiction to prescription drugs. On top of that, by 1969, HRH had ended their affiliation with Motown Records, and the Vandellas started to come apart at the seams. They played a farewell concert in Detroit and disbanded in 1972.

That same year, Motown moved its operations from Detroit to Los Angeles, and Reeves left the label for MCA and became a solo artist. Afterward, Reeves spent years making records, but they never reached the level of success enjoyed by the Vandellas. In 1994, she released an autobiography, Dancing in The Street, (Confessions of a Motown Diva). In 1995, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For many years, Martha Reeves served as a member of the City Council of the City of Detroit. Outside of this role and others she's had in more recent years, she has continued to perform old Martha and the Vandellas songs to live audiences. Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

Citation Information Martha and The Vandellas - Inductees - The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Click speaker button below to turn slide show audio off Click audio / video clip above to hear additional audio Martha & The Vandellas performance at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame 10th Anniversary Induction Martha & The Vandellas (Inducted 2003) One of the most aggressive-sounding girl groups, Martha and the Vandellas, were originally formed because the brother of the 19-year-old Martha Reeves would not let her sing with his group. Martha’s early background in music came from her father’s Methodist church, where she was schooled in the sounds of The Soul Stirrers, The Five Blind Boys, and Clara Ward, among others. At Northeastern High School she was vocally trained by the same man who later taught Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard of The Supremes (Abraham Silver). She then began doing solo work in clubs as Martha LaVelle. Martha and The Vandellas display at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 1960 Martha, Gloria Williams, Rosalind Ashford, and Annette Sterling, having been friends from high school, formed the Del-Phis.

In 1961 the group did one 45 for Checkmate Records (a division of Chess) called “I’ll Let You Know” and then Martha went to Motown Records to audition. Instead she was offered a secretarial job in the A&R Department and she took it, hoping it would lead to an opportunity. As assistant to producer Mickey Stevenson, one of Martha’s jobs was to book studio time for upcoming recording sessions. On one occasion when Mary Wells couldn’t make a session, Martha brought in the Del-Phis and they recorded “There He Is at My Door.” Since the group was technically still signed to Chess, Motown named them the Vels and issued the 45 on their Melody affiliate. Gloria sang lead at the time. When the Melody release went nowhere, she quit the group, leaving them a trio with Martha as lead. Their real break came in July 1962 when the group backed new Tamla artist Marvin Gaye on his fourth single, “Stubborn Kind of Fellow.” When it took off, the trio knew they’d finally get their chance.

Martha came up with a new name, a combination of Van Dyke Street (where her grandmother lived) and the name of one of her favorite singers, Della Reese. They released the single “I’ll Have to Let Him Go” in September 1962, but it received little attention. The beginning of their collaboration with songwriters Holland, Dozier, and Holland led in February 1963 to their second single, the rhythmic “Come and Get These Memories.” It charted on April 27th, eventually reaching number 29 (#6 R&B). With the 1963 hit “Heat Wave,” the girls established their forceful formula: power vocals with a tinge of gospel laid over the emerging Motown trademark bass and drums. It burned its way up the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number four (#1 R&B). More hot rockers followed, including “Quicksand” (#8) and “Live Wire” (#42). Toward the end of 1963, Annette left to marry and was replaced by Betty Kelley. Martha and The Vandellas receive their Harmony Award at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. L to R.

Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, and Annette Sterling. Martha and the Vandellas were easily the most popular in-person act in the Motown stable, and they rocked audiences at such shows as the Labor Day week performance at the Brooklyn Fox, with Murray and the K and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Shangri-Las. In the summer of 1964 Martha and company had their biggest hit with “Dancing in the Street,” which reached number two on October 17, right behind Manfred Mann’s Do Wah Diddy Diddy.” In February 1965 “Nowhere to Run” was issued just as the group took off for England as part of Motown’s first European package tour alongside The Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, and Stevie Wonder. “Nowhere” rose to number eight Pop and number five R&B. In 1966 Lois Reeves, Martha’s sister and formerly with the Orlons, replaced Kelly.

The group then continued to soar with hits like “My Baby Loves Me” (#22 Pop, #3 R&B) and “I’m Ready for Love (#9 Pop, #2 R&B). 1967 opened with the smash “Jimmy Mack” (#10 Pop, #1 R&B). Another change occurred with Sandra Tilley replaced Rosalind Ashford that year. In the fall of 1967 Gordy labels began reading “Martha Reeves and the Vandellas” with the release of “Honey Chile,” their last top 10 R&B hit (#5 R&B, #11 Pop). On September 15th the group appeared on the debut episode of NBC TV’s “Soul” with Lou Rawls and Redd Foxx. The group had three more chart singles in 1968 and two in 1969, ut it was becoming increasingly clear that Berry Gordy’s energies were primarily directed toward the Supremes. Martha suffered a breakdown in the spring of 1969 but fought her way back by 1971.

Upon returning to Detroit from an overseas tour, she learned that Motown had moved to Los Angeles but no one had the courtesy to inform her. On July 15, 1972, “Tear It Down” became the group’s last charter, reaching number 37 R&B and number 103 Pop. It was also the group’s last single. On December 31, 1972, Martha and the Vandellas performed a farewell concert at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The group broke up in early 1973 and Martha went out as a solo. In 1974 Martha had her biggest solo success “Power of Love” (#76 Pop, #27 R&B) on MCA, produced by the legendary Richard Perry. In 1978 the group reunited for a benefit for actor Will Geer in Santa Cruz, California. Martha later settled in Detroit and often toured with “The Legendary Ladies of Rock and Roll,” including The Crystals and Ronnie Spector, among others. ~ Jay Warner Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Motown Sound Featured Artist - Motown Museum Home of Hitsville U.S.A.

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas Martha Reeves and the Vandellas Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were not always Motown stars. In fact, Martha, who was working as a solo act, took a secretarial job with producer Mickey Stevenson just to get her dainty foot in the door. This unpaid gig led to back-up singing assignments from Stevenson for Martha and her former singing mates, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard, most notably on Marvin Gaye’s earliest hits. Recognizing their potential, the group was signed to a Motown contract in 1962. Always a trio, the Vandellas experienced personnel changes over the years and have included Betty Kelly, Lois Reeves and Sandra Tilley, in addition to Ashford and Beard. Shortly after signing with the company, the group recorded Holland-Dozier-Holland’s “Come and Get These Memories” in 1963. The single reached #29 on the Top 40 pop and #6 on the R&B charts. This recording is especially notable because it was also the first song produced by Motown’s titanic trio. The collaboration with Holland-Dozier-Holland continued with the release of “Quicksand,” which reached the Top Ten.

In 1964, the partnership of Ivy Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson and Marvin Gaye produced Martha and the Vandellas’ anthem, “Dancing in the Street.” Over the next three years, the group charted with multiple releases that include “Wild One,” “Nowhere to Run,” “My Baby Loves Me,” “I’m Ready for Love” and “Jimmy Mack.” Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ beat-driven, heart-pounding songs were Motown’s counterpoint to the Supremes’ lighter, pop-flavored vocals and gained favor with fans in the United States and across the globe. For their many contributions to R&B, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, only the second female group to receive that honor. The group, listed at #96, joined numerous fellow Motown artists on Rolling Stone’s 2004 listing of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Motown Note “Vandellas” resulted from the combination of a portion of a Detroit street name (Van Dyke) with the first name of Detroit-born singer, Della Reese.

Dancing In the Streets - The Best of Martha Reeves by Martha Reeves on Apple Music by Culture Vulture Most of these songs are more familiar in versions by Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and others, but Martha Reeves adds polish and makes them sound fresh. The backup musicians are also smoother than the band that backed up the Supremes - less roughness in the sound. Maybe the same group, but with more practice? I'm delighted to have this album. A needed collection by bryantp If you were there for the real deal, this is so nice to hear again. If not, you need to hear this...and so much else from Motown. I love the sound and vibe that came from this error and this collection is a nice, inexpensive example of that. Great Classics by Oldie & Goodie I love all Motown music and this CD is especially great. It's got wonderful songs with wonderful beats and I could dance all night long.

Biography Born: July 18, 1941 in Eufaula, AL Genre: R&B/Soul Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s Motown's brightest female star after Diana Ross, Martha Reeves was the earthy, gospel-infused counterpart to her rival Ross' uptown sophistication. With her backing group, the Vandellas, Reeves cut some of the brightest, most infectiously danceable R&B of her time. Unfortunately, she didn't fare as well after leaving Motown for a solo career in the '70s, and although she continued to perform for quite sometime, it was mostly on the oldies circuit, looking back over her past glories. Reeves was born... Top Albums and Songs by Martha Reeves 1. Martha Reeves | 2017 Alabama African American History Calendar | AT&T << BACK Martha Rose Reeves was born in Eufaula, Alabama on July 18, 1941. At a very young age, Reeves and her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where her grandfather, Reverend Elijah Reeves, was a minister at Detroit’s Metropolitan Church.

In 1959, after graduating from high school, she joined a girl group called the Fascinations and a year later joined the Del-Phis. The Del-Phis (Martha Reeves, Annette Beard, and Rosalind Ashford) later became Martha and the Vandellas. Throughout the 1960s, Martha and the Vandellas scored hit after hit with songs such as “Heat Wave,” “Quicksand,” “Nowhere To Run,” and “Dancing In The Street,” one of the biggest Motown singles ever released. In 1995, Reeves was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. In 2005, Reeves turned her sights toward politics and won a seat on the Detroit City Council.

In 1962, Motown’s Artist and Repertoire (A&R) Director, William “Mickey” Stevenson, heard the voice that would become synonymous with “the sound of young America.” A young jazz/blues singer with the unlikely name of “Martha Lavaille” was bringing audiences to their feet at Detroit’s famed 20 Grand Nightclub, singing songs made popular by singers like Gloria Lynne and Della Reese. Stevenson invited her to audition at the new Motown Records headquarters, nicknamed “Hitsville, USA.” Though the audition never happened, within a year, Reeves was working with Stevenson at Motown Records in the company’s A&R department. She was responsible for ensuring musicians showed up on time and got paid. She watched, learned, and whenever the opportunity presented itself, she sang. And when she did, everyone took notice. When Mary Wells couldn’t make a session, Reeves was called to the mic. With her group, the Del-Phis, she recorded “I’ll Have to Let Him Go,” and the rest is history. Martha and the Vandellas backed Marvin Gaye on his first three releases and sang with him on stage.

Soon, they emerged from the shadows with “Come and Get These Memories,” followed by an enviable string of hits: “Heat Wave,” “Quicksand,” “In My Lonely Room,” “Nowhere To Run,” “My Baby Loves Me,” “Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things,” “I’m Ready For Love,” “Jimmy Mack,” and, of course, the Motown anthem, “Dancing In The Street.” In 1972, Reeves left Motown Records seeking new artistic and musical horizons. She expanded her musical repertoire to include a myriad of styles such as rock, jazz, country, gospel, blues, and classical and performed with numerous artists including James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, opera diva Beverly Sills and gospel singer Bishop Rance Allen. Reeves headlined a national touring company of the musical “Ain’t Misbehaving,” and for three years toured the UK in the musical revue “Dancing In The Street.” In 2004, Reeves produced her “Home to You” CD. It was named one of the year’s best by the Asbury Park Press.

In 2005, Will Smith was searching the Motown vaults and discovered “It’s Easy To Fall In Love,” an unreleased gem by Reeves, and included it in the hit movie “Hitch.” Also in 2005, Motown released Reeves’ “Lost and Found” collection, which included the rare Smokey Robinson-penned “Spellbound,” her studio recording of “For Once In My Life,” and covers of hits by the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Marvelettes, Vikki Carr, Sam & Dave, and the Four Tops. Reeves was featured in the PBS special, “Motown: The Early Years.” Today, Reeves continues to thrill audiences around the world. The History Home The History The Hits The Hype (Reviews) The Honors The Happenings (Dates) Photos: Down Through the Years Contact Booking The History When looking for the perfect presentation of the Motown sound and style, few fit the bill as well as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.

It was 1963 when they moved from being Marvin Gaye's original backup singers ("Stubborn Kind of Fellow," "Pride & Joy," "Hitch Hike") to stars in their own right with the trifecta of "Come and Get These Memories," "Heat Wave," and "Quicksand." Over the next decade, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas would be a consistent presence on the music charts, as well as on television and top venues across the US and abroad. With the unmistakable voice that helped define "the sound of young America," Reeves reigns as one of music's most beloved and acclaimed female singers. As one reviewer recently exclaimed, "Martha Reeves is the ultimate Motown diva with soul flowing from the tips of her toes to the last hair on her head. They don't make ‘em like that anymore." Reeves and her Vandellas - her sisters, Lois (who joined the group in 1967) and Delphine (who came aboard in 1980) - remain in high demand, heating up clubs, casinos, concert stages, colleges and music festivals across the globe.

Their hits are a thing of legend: In addition to the aforementioned, they include the gospel-tinged "Nowhere to Run," the classic soul favorite "My Baby Loves Me," the pop anthem "Jimmy Mack," and the signature, "Dancing In The Street." While best known for up-tempo, hard driving tunes, Reeves' shows are often highlighted by jazzy renderings of Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child," her driving original blues "Watch Your Back" (both included in her self-produced CD "Home to You"), and the perennial showstopper, "Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things." Martha's story is a familiar one to legions of fans. Soon after graduating from high school, she performed in clubs as "Martha Lavaille." One night, Motown A&R director Mickey Stevenson heard her and invited her to audition for the then-fledgling label. The highly-motivated Reeves arrived the next morning. Upon learning that auditions had to be scheduled, she made herself valuable by answering phones and taking messages. When people say she started at Motown as a secretary, Reeves corrects them, laughing, "I was never a secretary.

I was a singer who could type." Reeves soon become an invaluable administrator, interacting with musicians and performers, scheduling sessions, and making sure that business was taken care of. And she waited her turn to sing. One day, when Mary Wells missed a session, Martha stepped up to the mic, got notice and a contract. She left the A/R department to become one of Motown's most enduring and beloved stars. As classics never fade, new and diverse audiences are constantly being introduced to the Martha Reeves songbook. She has counted talents as diverse as James Brown and Beverly Sills among her singing partners. Robin Williams spun "Nowhere to Run" in Good Morning, Vietnam. Her version of the Van Morrison rocker, "Wild Night" was featured on the Thelma and Louise movie soundtrack. The boys in The Boys In The Band and Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act 2 partied to "Heat Wave." Everyone from Mick Jagger and David Bowie, the Mamas and the Papas, Dusty Springfield and the Grateful Dead have gone "Dancing In the Street." Singers such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch and Jennifer Hudson sing her praises.

The popular US cable show "Power" (produced by rapper Fifty Cent) uses a reworked "Nowhere to Run" as its theme song. Moving beyond the confines of the concert stage, Reeves starred in a US tour of the Tony-winning "Ain't Misbehavin'", and has performed in road shows of "The Jackie Wilson Story" and "Good Black Don't Crack." She co-starred for three seasons in the UK stage review "Dancing In The Street," alongside Motown peers like the late Edwin Starr, Mary Wilson, and Freda Payne. Following Starr's death in 2003, Reeves held the spotlight alone. That same year, she made her opera debut singing with the Motor City Lyric Opera. Reeves is the recipient of the Dinah Washington Award, a Rhythm n' Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, a Black Woman in Publishing Legends Award, and has been inducted in the Alabama, Soul, Rock and Roll, and Vocal Group halls of fame. "Dancing in the Street" has been entered into the Library of Congress Registry of Historical Recordings and into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are listed among Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Immortal Artists." Martha Reeves And The Vandellas Tour Dates, Concerts & Tickets – Songkick See all past concerts (138) Biography Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are an American vocal group hailing from Detroit, Michigan, United States who formed in 1957. In their prime they were one of the prime reasons that Motown Records had the slogan “The Sound Of Young America”, and are still touring to this day. The group was started by Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard, after they were both hired by a local music manager to perform in the group the Del-Phis. After a couple of years spent performing everywhere they could, lead singer Gloria Williams left to pursue a solo career in 1960. The replacement was Alabama born singer Martha Williams, who had previously performed in the rival group The Fascinations and the very same year, the group signed their first record contract at Checker Records. Unfortunately, both their first two singles flopped, first on Checker, then on Checkmate Records. The band briefly separated, disillusioned with the music industry.

However, Reeves, returned to try and start a solo career, trying to court the emerging label Motown for a record contract. It seemed to be going according to plan, as Mickey Stevenson, one of the label’s songwriters and producers, spotted Reeves singing in a club and told her to come and formally audition. Unfortunately, in such a simple twist of fate, Reeves turned up to audition on a Tuesday, when Motown auditions were always held on Thursdays. However, Stevenson saw something in Reeves, and employed her as his secretary. By 1961, the group were back together and now known as The Vels. Reeves had got them work singing backing vocals for Motown’s various acts, however this all changed in 1962. The group were scheduled to record backup harmonies for an artist called Mary Wells, who failed to make the recording session for a song called “I’ll Have To Let Him Go”. Stuck for any other options, The Vels recorded a version of the song themselves, initially to serve as a demo for Wells to record over at a later date.

However, Motown CEO Berry Gordy was so impressed with their version of the song, Reeves’ lead vocals especially, that he offered the group a record contract shortly after he heard it. The group renamed themselves The Vandellas and by February 1963, they had their first Top 40 hit in the form of “Come And Get These Memories” only their second single. However, with the momentum that they had gained from that single, their follow up “(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave” was a monster hit in return. It sailed into the top five of the Billlboard Hot 100, and reached number one on the R&B charts for five weeks running, The group became one of the biggest names in the pop scene, reliably releasing top ten singles and relentless touring. 1964 saw the release of their most enduring single to date “Dancing In The Street”. This was a single that didn’t just reach number two on the Billboard Hot 100, but was also a bona-fide smash all over the world. Peaking at 21 on the Singles Chart on its original release and then then at number four during its 1969 re-release.

For the rest of the mid—sixties, the group were one of the most succesful Motown Acts around, and considering that The Supremes, The Four Tops and The Jackson 5 were their competition, that’s saying a hell of a lot. Personal problems plagued them for the rest of their career, with dwindling commercial clout and members coming and going at a rate of knots. When they finally scored another international hit in 1971 with “Bless You”, they decided to gracefully bow out with a farewell concert at Detroit’s Cobo hall in December 1972. However, after a critically acclaimed solo career, Reeves got the band back together in 2010, backed by her sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves, and are still performing live to this day. Ashford and Beard also take their Vandellas hits on the road with their incarnation, The Original Vandellas, and with either one, you get to experience some of the defining hits of the sixties the greatest way you can. Live and in concert. Both of them come highly recommended. Live reviews Martha Reeves And The Vandellas Motown legend Martha Reeves, now 72, is still going strong today.

Her impact on the classic Motown sound was huge back in the ‘60s, with Martha and The Vandellas’ gospel tinted soul music taking the label and genre beyond the doo-wop RnB of other Motown groups. It’s amazing to see someone performing with such vigour and passion having had a career spanning decades. I first saw Martha Reeves and The Vandellas at Secret Garden Party 2011, where she dominated the main stage with her massive hits ‘Heatwave’, ‘Nowhere To Run’ and, of course, the unequalled ‘Dancing In The Street’, one of the all-time great Motown songs. Witnessing a load of relatively young festival goers connect with an oldschool legend like Martha was brilliant. Her voice still hits all the right notes and she is just as classy and glamorous as she was in the ‘60s. I was also lucky enough to see her perform at an intimate event at Proud Galleries in London (2014), where she brought out John Newman for a duet of ‘Dancing In The Street’, and you could see the admiration Newman had for Martha Reeves; his music is so indebted to the classic Motown sound.

Looking forward to see Martha Reeves and The Vandellas again at this year’s Secret Garden Party. This gig was organised by Heritage Events through Eventbrite. Do not trust these people if you see their names on bookings. The gig did not take place. At the moment I am getting no response on a refund. I think the whole thing was a scam. If I get a refund, I will revise this message. In the meantime, don't trust these people. Or book with them. Ever.

Question: Which group backed Martha Reeves?
Answer: The Vandellas